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Lake Tahoe ski resorts are one of the biggest draws of this destination in the Sierras, and they’re one of the area’s best features. They allow visitors and locals alike access to a wide array of activities through multiple seasons, in addition to providing some of the best luxury accommodations in the area. Vacationers have several options for where to ski in Tahoe, and some of the resorts are internationally known—one even hosted the Winter Olympics. Excitement, rest, luxury, and the great outdoors are all part of staying at one of the best Tahoe ski resort destinations.

When choose where to ski in Tahoe, visitors have numerous options for resort towns, including both North Lake Tahoe and the South Lake Tahoe area. There are also plenty of luxury hotels and other accommodations that offer shuttles to the ski resorts, so if you’d rather not splurge on the most expensive resort in the area, it’s no trouble. Lake Tahoe ski areas vary in their level of difficulty, scenery, and overall facilities, meaning you can create any type of ski vacation experience, but all offer quality across the board. Among the lake’s two sections, there are several options for Lake Tahoe ski resorts, including Mt Rose, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, and Northstar-at-Tahoe in the northern area; and Kirkwood, Heavenly, and Sierra-at-Tahoe in the southern area. Homewood is centrally located on the western part of the lake.

On the North Shore, Squaw Valley is one of the most popular options, and some travelers consider it the best Tahoe ski resort because it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1960. There are plenty of things to do and see here, from the Village at Squaw Valley to the many activities and festivals that take place throughout the year. It’s also a popular location for many vacation packages and special deals. This is Tahoe’s second-largest ski resort, and it includes six peaks and more than 4,000 acres in the Sierras, and it boasts terrific snow conditions year after year.

At Mt. Rose, where skiing has taken place since the 1930s, visitors can expect plenty of accommodations, winter activities, and lessons, often included in special deals that help make this one of the best Tahoe ski resort options if you’re traveling on a budget. This is the closest ski resort to Reno, making it especially convenient to the area’s major airport.

The Homewood Mountain Resort has 1,260 total acres and a total of 60 ski runs, half of which are at the intermediate level, but which include plenty of options for beginners and advanced skiers. The longest ski run is two miles. The unincorporated community offers a peaceful alternative if you’re interested in skiing but would like to stay away from the most crowded resorts in the area.

Alpine Meadows is close to Tahoe City, which means that there are plenty of accommodations options in and around the resort, both there and in Truckee. Alpine Meadows, which as about 2,400 acres of land, is owned by the same company that owns the Homewood resort, meaning it may be possible to get packages or discounts for both.

Northstar-at-Tahoe has lots of trains and plenty of excitement for visitors. It’s one of the area’s year-round resorts, meaning that its fantastic views and adventurous activities are available any time. In addition to its downhill and cross-country ski runs, there are also an 18-hole golf course and a park for mountain biking; in the summer, the ski lifts take bike riders to the park area.

Located near Gardnerville, the Kirkwood Mountain Resort is another great place for local festivals, year-round activities, and all types of lodging. Kirkwood is a terrific destination for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking and mountain biking in the summer. This is one of the larger resorts in Lake Tahoe, and it has a high annual snowfall average.

At the Heavenly ski resort, also located in South Lake Tahoe, visitors will find a high-quality mountain resort with plenty of amenities and accommodations options. This is the largest ski resort by area in the state, with about one-third of its 4,800 acres developed for skiers. The Heavenly gondola is one of the most-popular year-round attractions in Tahoe for its beautiful views of the mountains.

Sierra-at-Tahoe can be explored in a variety of ways. Located near the Eldorado National Forest, this resort is terrific for skiing and snowboarding, and its proximity to Stateline means it’s also easy to enjoy the nightlife at the local casinos after a day spent on the slopes. This is the sister resort to Northstar, and season passes can be bought that are valid for both resorts.

Visitors to any of these Lake Tahoe ski resorts can expect tons of activities to fill up days of vacationing. Choosing where to ski in Tahoe is as simple as choosing your preferred lodging, scenery, and activities, and the variety means that it’s not hard to create your perfect ski trip.